Development of the MEGAN3 BVOC Emission Model for Use with the SILAM Chemical Transport Model

This project has aimed to investigate and propose improvements to the methods used in the System for Integrated ModeLing of Atmospheric coMposition (SILAM) model for simulating biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions. The goal is to study an option in SILAM to use the Model for Emission of Gases and Aerosols in Nature, Version 3 (MEGAN3) as an alternative to SILAM’s existing BVOC calculation algorithm, which is a more simplified approach. SILAM is an atmospheric chemical transport, dispersion, and deposition modelling system owned and continuously developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The model’s most well-known use is in forecasting air quality in Europe and southeast Asia. Although traffic and other urban emissions are important when modelling air quality, accurate modelling of biogenic emissions is also very important when developing a comprehensive, high-quality regional and sub-regional scale model. One of the motivations of this project is that if BVOC emission simulation in SILAM were improved, the improvements would be passed into subsequent atmospheric chemistry algorithms which form the molecules responsible to produce secondary organic aerosols (SOA). SOA have significant impacts on local and regional weather, climate, and air quality. The development in this project will therefore offer the potential for future improvement of air quality forecasting in the SILAM model. Because SILAM requires meteorological forecast as input boundary conditions, this study used output generated by the Environment-High Resolution Limited Area Model (Enviro-HIRLAM), developed by the HIRLAM Consortium in collaboration with universities in Denmark, Finland, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Spain. Enviro-HIRLAM includes multiple aerosol modes, which account for the effects of aerosols in the meteorological forecast. Running SILAM with and without the aerosol effects included in the Enviro-HIRLAM meteorological output showed that aerosols likely caused a minor decrease in BVOC emission rate. This project has focused on the boreal forest of Hyytiälä, southern Finland, the site of the Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations - II (SMEAR-II, 61.847°N, 24.294°E) during a one day trial on July 14, 2010. After performing a test run over the Hyytiälä region in July 2010 for analysis, it was found that SILAM significantly underestimates BVOC emission rates of both isoprene and monoterpene, likely because of an oversimplified approach used in the model. The current approach in SILAM, called ‘Guenther Modified’, uses only a few equations from MEGAN and can be classified as a strongly simplified MEGAN version, with selected assumptions. It references a land cover classification map and lookup table, taking into account only three parameters (air temperature, month, and solar radiation) when performing the calculations. It does not take into account several other important parameters, which affect the BVOC emission rates. Based on qualitative analysis, this appears to be a simplified but limited approach. Therefore, based on these findings, the next step to improve SILAM simulations is to propose a full implementation of MEGAN as a replacement to the current logic in SILAM, which is to use land classification and a lookup table for BVOC emission estimates. MEGAN, which is a much more comprehensive model for simulating BVOC emissions from terrestrial ecosystems. MEGAN includes additional input parameters, such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), relative humidity, CO2 concentration, land cover, soil moisture, soil type, and canopy height. Furthermore, this study found that in the future, simulations involving BVOCs could also potentially be improved in SILAM by adding modern schemes for chemical reactions and SOA formation in future development of SILAM. After gaining in-depth understanding of the strengths and limitations of BVOC in the SILAM model, as practical result, some recommendations for improvements to the model are proposed

Effects of Weight Reduction, Exercise, and Diet Modification on Lipids and Apolipoproteins A-l and B in Severely Obese Persons

We assessed the lipid and apolipoprotein effects of hypocaloric dieting, increased physical activity, and dietary modification in severely overweight adults (body mass index [BMI] 43.05 kg/m-). The 34 women and four men enrolled in the ambulatory weight control program donated blood before, during, and after hypocaloric dieting (420 kcal/day). Mean values before dieting included cholesterol of 223 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol of 43 mg/dL, and cholesterol/HDL cholesterol of 5.90. This placed our subjects at high risk for coronary artery disease. Other values included triglycerides of 138 mg/dL, apolipoprotein A-l of 152 mg/dL. and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-l of 0.64. Significant reductions during hypocaloric dieting included mean cholesterol of 171 mg/dL, triglycerides of 99 mg/dL. and apolipoprotein A-l of 120 mg/dL. During weight maintenance (mean BMI 36.08 kg/m²). significant reductions compared to baseline included a mean cholesterol of204 mg/dL and cholesterol/HDL cholesterol of 4.60. Also, a significant increase occurred in HDL cholesterol (51 mg/dL). but a nonsignificant elevation was observed in apolipoprotein A-l (180 mg/dL). In four subjects, discordant ratios of cholesterol/HDL cholesterol or apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-1 were seen. and one ratio improved in two subjects despite relapse of obesity. Changes in both HDL composition and HDL particle concentration may explain elevations of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-l after dieting. Discordance between lipid and apolipoprotein ratios may occur. Improvement in lipids or apolipoproteins may be seen despite regained weight

The Clinical Usefulness of Measuring Apolipoproteins in Diabetic Patients: A Preliminary Report

A commercial assay for apolipoproteins A-1 and B as well as total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was applied to 12-hour fasted serum from 24 insulin-dependent and 19 noninsulin-dependent diabetic persons. Women with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) had the highest levels of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. Apolipoprotein B values fell within the normal range in all patients except the NIDDM females, where four of the ten (40%) samples were elevated. When apolipoprotein B was elevated, total cholesterol was also elevated, over 220 mg/dL. Apolipoprotein A-1 values fell within or above the normal range in all subjects, and a considerable discordance was observed between apolipoprotein A-1 elevations and HDL cholesterol elevations. The divergence between HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 supports the altered composition of HDL in the diabetic persons studied. Further study should elucidate the clinical usefulness of apolipoprotein measurements in diabetic patients

El papel social del militar en el postconflicto colombiano

En el presente ensayo se pretende argumentar diferentes dinámicas del conflicto interno en Colombia que llevó a que de manera temprana las Fuerzas Militares del país asumieran funciones de seguridad civil, desarrollando su estructura y doctrina en torno a las necesidades de la lucha contra los grupos armados al margen de la ley y en defensa de la sociedad y las instituciones, de esta manera relegó a un segundo plano su rol clásico de defensa de las fronteras nacionales frente a potenciales amenazas externas. Así pues es necesario mirar en primera instancia como El ordenamiento constitucional, legal y jurídico del Estado moderno prevé y justifica la creación y existencia de las fuerzas militares FFMM- cuya misión fundamental es la defensa de la soberanía con respecto y frente a otras naciones del mundo (defensa nacional externa). Así mismo, la defensa nacional interna está asignada al cuerpo de policía, al margen y de manera totalmente separada de las FFMMPregrad

Childhood Lead Poisoning

Although lead encephalopathy is rare, lead intoxication continues to be a significant problem in Detroit. Neuropsychological effects may occur even at low levels of lead. Since treatment of lead poisoning consists of a painful series of injections, it is imperative that more attention be given to the prevention of this disease. To confirm the magnitude of the problems, our experience with lead poisoning during a three-year period at Henry Ford Hospital\u27s Pediatric Department is reviewed

Cytokine Responses of Human Blood Monocytes Stimulated with Igs

Using an in vitro system for stimulating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with immobilized Ig, patterns of cytokine production as a function of different Ig classes and subclasses were elucidated. Wells were coated with IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4. Equivalent protein content on surfaces of wells was demonstrated by a human kappa chain ELISA. Isolated human PBMC were added to Ig-coated wells and incubated for 24 hrs before supernatants were assayed for cytokines. The IgG subclasses showed differences in cytokine production stimulated from PBMC, with the relative stimulation for TNFα being IgG2 ≥ IgG3 ≥ IgG1 > IgG4 and for IL-6 production, IgG2 ≥ IgG3 > IgG1 = IgG4. In contrast, the relative stimulation for IL-8 was IgG1 = IgG2 = IgG3 = IgG4. IgA caused less production of TNFα when compared to IgG2, but similar levels of IL-8. Such differences may have important implications in the pathogenesis of immune complex mediated diseases.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44518/1/10753_2004_Article_426087.pd

The implementation of a mobile problem-specific electronic CEX for assessing directly observed student—patient encounters

Background: Facilitating direct observation of medical students' clinical competencies is a pressing need. Methods: We developed an electronic problem-specific Clinical Evaluation Exercise (eCEX) based on a national curriculum. We assessed its feasibility in monitoring and recording students' competencies and the impact of a grading incentive on the frequency of direct observations in an internal medicine clerkship. Students (n=56) at three clinical sites used the eCEX and comparison students (n=56) at three other clinical sites did not. Students in the eCEX group were required to arrange 10 evaluations with faculty preceptors. Students in the second group were required to document a single, faculty observed ‘Full History and Physical’ encounter with a patient. Students and preceptors were surveyed at the end of each rotation. Results: eCEX increased students' and evaluators' understanding of direct-observation objectives and had a positive impact on the evaluators' ability to provide feedback and assessments. The grading incentive increased the number of times a student reported direct observation by a resident preceptor. Conclusions: eCEX appears to be an effective means of enhancing student evaluation

Positive feedback mechanism between biogenic volatile organic compounds and the methane lifetime in future climates

A multitude of biogeochemical feedback mechanisms govern the climate sensitivity of Earth in response to radiation balance perturbations. One feedback mechanism, which remained missing from most current Earth System Models applied to predict future climate change in IPCC AR6, is the impact of higher temperatures on the emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), and their subsequent effects on the hydroxyl radical (OH) concentrations. OH, in turn, is the main sink term for many gaseous compounds including methane, which is the second most important human-influenced greenhouse gas in terms of climate forcing. In this study, we investigate the impact of this feedback mechanism by applying two models, a one-dimensional chemistry-transport model, and a global chemistry-transport model. The results indicate that in a 6 K temperature increase scenario, the BVOC-OH-CH4 feedback increases the lifetime of methane by 11.4% locally over the boreal region when the temperature rise only affects chemical reaction rates, and not both, chemistry and BVOC emissions. This would lead to a local increase in radiative forcing through methane (Delta RFCH4) of approximately 0.013 Wm(-2) per year, which is 2.1% of the current Delta RFCH4. In the whole Northern hemisphere, we predict an increase in the concentration of methane by 0.024% per year comparing simulations with temperature increase only in the chemistry or temperature increase in chemistry and BVOC emissions. This equals approximately 7% of the annual growth rate of methane during the years 2008-2017 (6.6 +/- 0.3 ppb yr-1) and leads to an Delta RFCH4 of 1.9 mWm(-2) per year.Peer reviewe

A modelling study of OH, NO3 and H2SO4 in 2007– 2018 at SMEAR II, Finland : analysis of long-term trends

Major atmospheric oxidants (OH, O3 and NO3) dominate the atmospheric oxidation capacity, while H2SO4 is considered as a main driver for new particle formation. Although numerous studies have investigated the long-term trend of ozone in Europe, the trends of OH, NO3 and H2SO4 at specific sites are to a large extent unknown. The one-dimensional model SOSAA has been applied in several studies at the SMEAR II station and has been validated by measurements in several projects. Here, we applied the SOSAA model for the years 2007–2018 to simulate the atmospheric chemical components, especially the atmospheric oxidants OH and NO3, as well as H2SO4 at SMEAR II. The simulations were evaluated with observations from several shorter and longer campaigns at SMEAR II. Our results show that daily OH increased by 2.39% per year and NO3 decreased by 3.41% per year, with different trends of these oxidants during day and night. On the contrary, daytime sulfuric acid concentrations decreased by 2.78% per year, which correlated with the observed decreasing concentration of newly formed particles in the size range of 3– 25 nm with 1.4% per year at SMEAR II during the years 1997–2012. Additionally, we compared our simulated OH, NO3 and H2SO4 concentrations with proxies, which are commonly applied in case a limited number of parameters are measured and no detailed model simulations are available.Peer reviewe